In a show of solidarity against cancer, the Dawoodi Bohra communities of Melbourne and Sydney organised Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea in their respective communities in May. This is the sixth consecutive year that the Melbourne community has organised the event.

The initiative, led by Cancer Council, has been running for more than 30 years and has become a prominent fundraising event in Australia.

“Cancer is a word that haunts and terrifies countless people, especially here in Australia where statistics show that one in two Australians are diagnosed by the age of 85,” said Mustafa Poonawala, an organiser from Melbourne.

“This initiative means a lot to us. It is not only a means of bringing the community together for a fun day, but more importantly, to involve toddlers and septuagenarians alike in the campaign to beat cancer,” he continued.

This year, the bakers stole the show in Melbourne with their tea platters showcasing their creativity and passion in a friendly competition.

SunSmart, a world-renowned programme created in 1988, has been at the forefront of skin cancer prevention in Australia. With the funds raised by the Melbourne community, around 2,000 children will receive SunSmart education, promoting the importance of hats, sunblock, and sleeves.

“Living in a region susceptible to the disease makes it vital to learn about its prevention,” said Tasneem Baquari, an organiser from Sydney.

The children volunteered and took the lead in Sydney with enthusiasm, contributing meaningfully to the day’s success.

“It was heartening to see them so involved. They weren’t just helping, they were driving the event,” added a community volunteer from Sydney.

The Dawoodi Bohra communities in Melbourne and Sydney — though small in numbers — continue to play active roles in their respective communities. Under the banner of Project Rise, a global community-wide philanthropic initiative, they organise themselves to take up various initiatives aimed at producing a sustained and positive social impact.